Necktie and method of making the same



Dec. 8, 1936. J. W.LESS 2,063,511

NECKTIE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 31, 1935 Patented Dec. 8, 1936 PATENT OFFICE NECKTIE AND METHOD OF MAKIN THE SAME Joseph W. Less, Clinton, Iowa Application May 31, 1935, Serial No. 24,213

24 Claims. (Cl. 2150) This invention has reference to a necktie and the method of making the same, dealing especially with that type having the general appearance of what is commonly known as and termed 5 a four in hand, in this instance being of a made up form.

An object-of my invention is to greatly simplify the manufacture of such a tie to the end that the steps employed in its production are fewer than those ordinarily required in some types of which I am aware; that the several said steps can be more easily accomplished; that the tie can be more quickly fabricated; and that the finished article can be produced at a 15 much lower cost than heretofore, and of better appearance.

Another object lies in practicing a new method of forming the outer knot portion of a tie of the type named, and the manipulation thereof about and with respect to the inner knot portion during manufacture.

Still another object lies in the said manipulation of the said outer knot portion about and with respect to the inner knot portion in a 25 tie whether the outer covering of tie material is a separate part, or whether the whole tie is of a single part.

The construction of the tie and the method of making it will appear in the description to follow.

As an aid to the full understanding of the structure, and of the steps used in producing a tie, the accompanying drawing is provided wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of a tie of the type under consideration.

Figure 2 is a plan of an inner knot portion.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the portion shown in Figure 2 enclosed in a covering or outer knot portion preliminary to operations on the latter, and showing part of a separate tail-piece for the tie and part of a collar encircling band imposed thereon.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the completed 45 inner knot portion and outer portion of Figure 3, together with the tail-piece and collar encircling band, wherein all three of the latter have been shifted to a different position on, and with respect to said inner knot portion, a wire stiffening member being shown in position upon the whole.

Figure 5 is a transverse section of Figure 4 on line 5-5 thereof without the said stiflening member.

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 3 but wherein the outer knot portion is of a slightly different form. I

Figure 7 is a transverse section of Figure l on line 'll of the latter, illustrating the structure of the completed knot portion of the tie.

Figure 8 is a plan of an inner knot portion similar to that of Figure 2 showing a diiferent type of stiffening member therefor.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 8 on line 99 of that figure.

Figures 10 and 11 are rear elevations of a single strip of tie material showing the application of an inner knot portion thereto, the whole being shown on a much smaller scale than the structures of the earlier figures. 7

Figures 12 and 13 are side or edge elevations of a type of tie shown in Figures 10 and 11 wherein is indicated the manner of placing and of adjusting the material about the inner knot portion.

Figure 14 is a rear elevation of the structure and arrangement shown in Figure 13, and

Figure 15 is a rear elevation on a large scale of a completed tie as it appears in general in either of the forms illustrated.

At the outset it may be stated that while the tie to be described is adapted to be tied about the neck of the wearer in the manner shown in Patent No. 1,972,405 issued to me on September 4, 1934 it is likewise usable in a made up tie of the same general appearance wherein the old and well known impalement pin may be used by which to engage the collar encircling band of such tie.

My present structure includes an inner knot portion or base portion 2, consisting of stiff canvas, for example, which may preferably have substantially the general form of outline shown in the several figures, see Figure 2, particularly, which in one of its forms, may, perhaps, have pairs of notches l-3, |-3 for a purpose to appear presently.

In one manner of constructing the tie this base portion is covered by an outer knot portion 4, Figures 3, 4 and 5 and this latter portion may be of the material of which the whole tie is constructed, forming a covering for said inner knot or base portion. In Figure 3 it is noted that this tie material 4 is folded upon itself and receives the inner knot portion, or base portion 2 into it, whereupon the material may be stretched so that at the fold thereof such material will closely follow the entire curve of the adjacent edge of said portion 2 as is indicated in part at 5 in that figure. This having been done, one end of a separate tail-portion, or depending body-portion of the tie material 5, may be placed upon the structure to overlie that edge of the base portion 2 that lies nearest the free edges of the outer knot portion 4, and upon that is placed an end of the usual collarencircling band I, the longitudinal line of the band and tail portions lying at right angles to the longest measurement of the said base portion about as shown. Following this placing of the parts the material 4 and the portions 6 and 1 are stitched together, or otherwise secured relatively, the line of fastening'preferably following the curve of the base portion as indicated at 8, such fastening means being wholly free of the said base portion so that the outer knot portion thus constituted may shift with respect to the latter. The excess material may be removed outside of the place of securement by cutting it away as suggested at 4' in said Figure 3, it being understood that the snug fitting of the outer portion upon the inner portion is merely that the whole can be the more readily handled in further operations.

Naturally, a tie of the general type herein requires an appearance such as shown in Figure 1, wherein the tail portion appears as depending from within the knot portion. Since, in order to secure the tie in place about the neck of the wearer in the manner described in my patent referred to, it is now necessary to shift the portions 2 and 4 with respect to each other, see arrows, to carry the attached end of the band I away from what will eventually be the top edge of the completed knot of the finished tie a sufficient distance to permit enclosing a twisted portion of the band within the said completed and finished knot portion of Figures 1 and 15. Therefore, by grasping the outer ma terial 4 between the fingers and thumb of each hand, or by suitable mechanical means, not shown, this said outer material is rotated about the inner portion or base, thus moving the stitching to any desired extent so as to lie at any position between opposite edges of the said inner portion or base, the material rotating in this instance, about the longest axis of the latter.

In Figures 4 and 5, as an example, it is observed that said stitching and consequently the attached end of the band I as here shown lies at said axis, the tail portion 6 being lowered as an incidental result. However, the position of said stitching may lie at any other position between the edges of 2 and 4 as may be understood. In said Figure 5 the thickness of material has been shown somewhat out of proportion in order that the relation of the parts may be readily illustrated. Naturally, of course, my invention contemplates comprising the neck band I and tail portion 6 in a single length of material instead of the two parts described.

In this particular instance there is now placed upon the resultant arrangement a stiffening member such as a wire consisting of a bowed middle part 9, Figures 4 and 7 whose extremities terminate each in a loop Hi. When the wire member is located on the parts about as shown each extremity of the completed inner and outer knot portion is threaded through one of the loops ill, but one of them being thus shown in Figure 4 whereas in Figure 7 the complete threading is evident, and in this latter figure, also, the whole structure has been formed conically, bringing the loops l toward each other as in the completed tie of Figures 1 and 15, for example:

The notches l3, l3, previously mentioned, of the base portion 2, if used at all, serve to receive the bights of the loops I0, not so shown, after the ends of the covered knot portion 2 have been drawn through said loops, the distance between the bottoms of the notches being about equal to the measurements between the bights of the loops. Beside the frictional engagement of the material with the adjacent portions of each loop as they lie between them, the

said notches assist in securing the relation of the parts permanently.

In Figure 6 a different form of envelope, or outer knot portion, is illustrated. This may be of tubular form, as l I, the edge being stitched as before, or it may be a previously fabricated tube, while the open ends I2 may be lapped over and stitched down by hand around the base 2, see ll, after having been shifted to the position shown in Figures 4 and and already described.

I have shown the wire member 9, I0 as an example of a stiffener but I may employ stampings of any desired form for accomplishing the same purpose, or, as in Figures 8 and 9 a wire i2 may be threaded through spaced holes 13 in the base portion, the extremities being recurved and bent down upon the extremities of the latter, the rigidity of the wire serving to maintain the conical form of the knot portion upon completion of the latter. In using this type of wire stiffener said wire while not so shown may be made to pierce the outer covering 4 of the earlier figures.

In Figures to a like method of producing a tie is shown where a single length only of tie material is employed. For example, a length of the material M of tubular form or such as an already constructed four-in-hand tie, for example, is provided, the widest end serving eventually as the tie-end, while the narrow end will naturally constitute the collar-encircling band. This is opened, or lies open, at a suitable point and an inner knot portion I5 is inserted transversely thereof as shown, and this may, for example be provided with the wire stifiener shown in Figures 8 and 9, previously described. The separated edges of the tube may be partially brought together at I4 to better enclose the base portion as in Figure 11, but at any rate the material is doubled upon itself as in Figure 12, and means such as stitching, or any other fastening means at l6 secures the same. Next, the loop thus made is rotated around the base as far as desired, it then appearing as in Figures l3 and 14 corresponding in purpose to what has been described in respect to Figures 4 and 5. Finally, the knot portion as thus completed is bent into conical form appearing as in Figure 1-5, the wire l2 serving as the form-retaining part, but of course any other type of stiffening member may be used for the purpose.

Heretofore, some types of tie, of the madeup variety have been difficult to construct, requiring considerable hand sewing due to the manner of construction required, and this, of course, has made the cost of production considerable when taking into account the price at which such a commodity should sell. Further, due to said manner of construction, the tie could not always be properly styled nor have a proper finished appearance, much time being required in an attempt to impart a pleasing and dressy form thereto.

However, the particular manner of procedure in the manufacture of the present form of my tie is such that hand work is reduced to a minimum, machine stitching or other equally easy method only is required, and that but once, in the simpler form thereof, as in Figures 3 and 4 herein, and the few hand work operations are merely manipulative, no hand sewing being required.

In order to provide the proper relation of the tie parts forpreserving proper appearance; for providing a smooth upper edge of the knot portion in the finished tie; and in order to admit of fixing the tie in position at the collar of the wearer by locating the attached end of band 1 somewhere below said top edge, as required in my method of tying according to my patent already referred to, the outer portion 4 is shifted with respect to the inner portion 2 as already described. Due to the fact that were the relation of the parts somewhat as shown in Figures 5 and 13 it would be very difficult if not impossible to stitch the parts in that position such stitching is done at the edge of the inner portion 2, or l5 as the case may be, as

explained. previously, and then the shifting of the parts relatively is easy and is rather the logical method. Ties as sometimes made include the old and well known pin in the completed knot portion on which to impale the free end of the neck-band. If such a pin is desired in my type of tie the inner knot portion herein described need not necessarily be shifted although a slight shift would perhaps be desirable in order that a smooth top edge of the knot will show in. the completed tie rather than one more or less creased, or that may show the stitching.

Naturally, if the outer knot portion 4 were furnished in tubular form and were slipped over an inner portion such as 2 the tail portion 6 and band 1 would still require attachment to some part of the structure to serve the end sought.

The stiffener of wire 9-I U or the wire l2, or a wire of any other form, serves to secure the inner and outer knot portions relatively as may be understood.

I claim:

1. A neck tie structure including an inner stiffened initially flat knot portion, and an outer knot portion permanently carried by and snugly fitting and enclosing the same, said outer knot portion being rotatably adjustable about a single axis of said inner knot portion.

2. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, a covering therefor secured permanently about the same and constituting an outer knot portion free to be shifted about an axis of said inner knot portion.

3. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion of unequal measurement in lines extending substantially at right angles to each other. a covering entirely enclosing it on all surfaces and constituting an outer knot portion, the same being shiftable with relation to said inner knot portion about the longest axis thereof.

4. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, an outer knot portion enveloping it, and a neck band and tail portion fixed in and with respect to a part of the structure at a position located between two opposite edges thereof, the outer knot portion being shiftable around and with respect to the inner knot portion in a direction paralleling the longitudinal line of said band and tail portions, the latter portions shifting therewith.

5. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, an outer knot portion enveloping it capable of being shifted about a single axis thereof, a neck band and a tail portion fixed with respect to the outer knot portion, the longitudinal line of said band and tail portion normally lying at right angles to the axis about which the said outer knot portion is shiftable.

6. A'neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, an outer knot portion enveloping the same and normally free thereof the same being capable of being rotated about an axis of said inner portion, a neck band having a fixed position with respect to the outer portion, the said band at said outer portion being shiftable with the same to any position between opposite edges of said inner knot portion.

7. A neck-tie including in its construction an inner knot portion, an outer knot portion entirely enveloping the same, and a neck band, and a tail portion fixed relatively to the outer knot portion, the entire last-named structure being shiftable with respect to said inner knot portion.

8. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, an outer knot portion snugly fitting and enveloping the same and free to rotate about an axis thereof, a neck band and a tail portion afiixed at one of their ends to said outer knot portion and rotatable therewith, the longitudinal line of the attached band and tail portion lying substantially at right angles to the axis about which the said outer knot portion rotates.

9. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion relatively, long and narrow, an outer knot portion of tie material folded upon itself and enveloping the inner knot portion snugly fitting one of the longer edges thereof, securing means extending through the overlying extensions of said outer portion along and outside the other longer edge of the inner portion and free thereof, said outer portion being free to be rotated around the inner portion about the longest axis thereof.

10. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion relatively long and narrow, an outer knot portion of tie material folded upon itself and enveloping the inner portion snugly fitting one of the longer edges thereof, securing means extending through the overlying extensions of said outer portion along and outside the other longer edge of the inner portion and free thereof, said outer portion being free to rotate around the inner portion about the longest axis thereof, and a neckband fixed at one end relatively to the outer knot portion.

11. A necktie structure including an initially fiat portion capable of being bent into tubular form to create a tubular knot portion, a covering of tie material secured snugly about the said fiat portion and free to be rotated thereabout, and a neck band and tail portion secured to the said covering at a position between two of the edges of the thus formed knot portion and extending from opposite open ends of the same in its tubular form.

12. A necktie structure including an inner elongated initially flat knot portion, an outer knot portion enclosing and fitting the same, lying snugly against. the two longest edges thereof, 1

and secured permanently in position thereabout but capable of being shifted with respect thereto about the longest axis thereof.

13. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion relatively long and narrow, an outer knot portion of tie material folded upon itself and enveloping the inner portion snugly fitting one of the longer edges thereof, securing means extending through the overlying extensions of said outer portion along and outside the other longer edge of the inner portion and free thereof, said outer portion being free to rotate around the inner portion about the longest axis thereof, a neck band and a tail portion fixed at one of their ends relatively to the outer knot portion the longitudinal line of the band and tail portion normally lying at right angles to the said longest axis of said inner knot portion.

14. A neck-tie structure including an inner knot portion, stiffening means therefor for retaining it in any form into which it may be bent, an outer knot portion of tie material enveloping the said inner portion, and capable of being rotated about the same, a neck band and tail portion fixed at one of their ends to said outer portion and movable therewith in the rotative movement thereof.

15. A neck-tie including in its construction a length of tie material tubular in form, an inner knot portion substantially segmental in outline disposed within the same with its longest axis extending transversely thereof, the material of the tube being closed around the same, said tubular tie material being folded upon itself around one side of the enclosed inner knot portion forming a loop, the portions of the resultant loop being secured together closing the loop at one side of the said knot portion.

16. A neck-tie including in its construction a length of tie material tubular in form, an inner knot portion substantially segmental in outline disposed within the same with its longest axis extending transversely thereof, the material of the tube being closed around the same, said tubular tie material being folded upon itself around one side of the enclosed inner knot portion forming a loop, the portions of the resultant loop being secured together closing the loop at one side of the said knot portion, the latter and the loop having a tubular form in the completed tie wherein the ends of the said inner segmental knot portion lie adjacent each other, the ends of the tie material separately extending from opposite ends of the resultant tubular part.

17. In a method of making a tie, the method which consists in enclosing in an outer knot portion of tie material an inner knot portion of relatively stiff material of substantially segmental form with said tie material fitting the said inner knot portion but free to rotate about the longest axis thereof, attaching one end of a neck band to the outer knot portion of said tie material at an edge thereof lying adjacent an edge of the said inner knot portion, and rotating the said outer knot portion about the inner knot portion to station the edge thereof having the attached end of the neck band between the opposite edges of said inner knot portion.

18. In a method of making a tie, the method which consists in enclosing in an outer knot portion of tie material an inner knot portion of relatively stifi material of substantially segmental form with said tie material snugly fitting the latter but free to rotate about the longest axis thereof, attaching a neck band and a tail portion to the outer knot portion of said tie material at an edge thereof lying adjacent an edge of said inner knot portion and rotating the said outer knot portion about the inner knot portion to station the place of attachment of the said neck band and tail portion at a point between opposite edges of the said inner knot portion.

19. In a method of making a tie, the method which consists in enclosing in an outer knot portion of tie material an inner knot portion of relatively stiff material of substantially segmental form with said tie material snugly fitting the latter but free to rotate about the longest axis thereof, attaching one end of a neck band and a tail portion to the outer knot portion of said tie material at an edge thereof lying adjacent an edge of said inner knot portion, rotating the said outer knot portion about the inner knot portion to bring the attached end of the neck band between opposite edges of the latter, and bending the named structure into tubular form to create the knot of the completed tie with the ends of the inner knot portion lying adjacent each other, and with the neck band and tail portion extending from opposite ends of the tube thus created.

20. In a method of making a tie the steps comprising enclosing a long and relatively narrow stiffened inner knot portion within the parts of an outer knot portion consisting of a transversely folded strip of tie material, drawing the material at the fold thereof snugly upon an edge of the said inner knot portion, superimposing a neck band and tail portion upon the strip of tie material at the opposite edge of the latter, the longitudinal line of the band and tail portions lying transversely of the longest axis of said inner knot portion, securing the free portions of the strip and the said band and tail portions along a line following the said opposite edge of the said inner portion, rotating the outer portion around the inner portion about the longest axis of the latter to bring the point of securement of the neck band between the opposite longest edges of the inner portion, and bending the whole into tubular form to create the knot portion of the finished tie with the said band and tail portions extending from opposite ends of the created knot portion.

21. In a method of making a tie the steps comprising enclosing a long and relatively narrow inner knot portion within the parts of an outer knot portion consisting of a transversely folded strip of tie material, drawing the material at the fold thereof snugly upon an edge of the said inner knot portion, superimposing a neck band and tail portion upon the strip of tie material adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, the longitudinal line of said band and tail portions lying transversely of the longest axis of the same, securing the free portions of the strip and the said band and tail portion along a line following the said opposite edge of the said inner portion, rotating the outer portion about the longest axis of the inner portion to bring the point of securement of the neck band between the opposite longest edges of the said inner portion, placing upon the structure a stiffening member, engaging the named structure therewithand bending the whole into tubular form constituting the complete knot portion with the band and tail portion extending from opposite ends of the thus formed tubular knot portion.

22. A neck tie including in its construction a length of wire having the form of an open ring whose extremities terminate each in an elongated loop disposed in its longest measurement substantially at right angles to the plane of such 7 open ring, part of each loop lying at one side of said plane, and a flexible portion outside the ring and following the curve thereof terminating at its ends adjacent the loops and extended each through one of them.

23. A necktie including in its construction a member of elongated form to constitute a knot portion for said necktie, and a stiffening member therefor of bowed form having at two positions thereon a part each adapted to receive therein an end of the first named member, each end of the latter extending into the former and held frictionally thereby.

24. A necktie including in its construction a member of elongated form to constitute a knot portion for said necktie and having a pair of notches near each of its ends each at an opposite edge thereof, and a stiffening member therefor of bowed form having spaced loop portions, the ends of the first named member being separately held in said loop portions and extending away 10 from each other in opposite directions.

JOSEPH W. LESS. 

